January 2013 News
- No plans to run for Presidency in 2016: Hillary
Virtually putting to rest all speculations about her contesting the next US presidential elections, outgoing secretary of state Hillary Clinton has said she has absolutely no such plans and is just focusing on finishing her term in office. "Well I have absolutely no plans to run for presidency. Right now, I am trying to finish my term as Secretary of State," she told CNN in an interview when asked about reports of her contesting the elections of 2016. "I don't know everything I'll be doing. I'll be working on behalf of women and girls, and hopefully be writing and speaking. Those are the things that I am planning to do right now."Clinton said she does not know what her new life entails for her, when there are no appointments for her. - New levels of horror in Syria, says UN
The Syria war has reached 'unprecedented levels of horror', UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said after dozens of men were killed in a grim new massacre. Brahimi told the divided UN Security Council that it must now act to halt the carnage epitomised by the nearly 80 young men killed with a single bullet and dumped in a river in the battlefront city of Aleppo. Syrian rebels blamed President Bashar al-Assad's government for the killings, but state media said an Islamist opposition faction was to blame. Syria "is breaking up before everyone's eyes. Only the international community can help, and first and the foremost the Security Council," Brahimi told the council's 15 ambassadors, apologising for sounding like a broken old record. Twenty two months of conflict have now left well over 60,000 dead, according to the UN, which will seek $1.5 billion in humanitarian funding for beleaguered Syrians at a conference in Kuwait,
- China urges Japan to foster normal ties
China urged Japan to create conditions for the normal development of bilateral relations, saying the two sides should "properly handle tensions" over the sovereignty of the disputed Diaoyu islands. Foreign ministry spokesman Hong lei said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had suggested that a summit between Japan and China was necessary to mend bilateral relations hampered by recent territorial disputes, Xinhua reported. Hong said China attaches importance to developing relation with Japan, and stressed that Beijing hopes that Tokyo will make joint efforts to overcome major difficulties so as to push bilateral ties back to the track of normal development.
Power bills to go up for the next three months
There's no escaping the price monster. Starting February 1, you'll have to pay more for power for the next three months as the Delhi Regulatory Commission has approved provisional 3% and 1.5% power purchase cost adjustment charges (PPA) for BSES and TPDDL areas, respectively for this period. So if you live in South and East Delhi (BSES areas) and consume 400 units a month, your bill will rise from Rs. 1840 to Rs.1895.20. In West and North Delhi (TPDDL areas), it will go up to Rs.1867.60. Not a big hike. But with new tariffs for 2013 to be out in the next few months, there will be no relief.
- Cops file charge sheet, let minor accused off the hook
As controversy rages around law governing punishment for juveniles in serious crimes, the Delhi Police appear to have given up their attempt to establish that the most brutal attacker in the December 16 gang rape is an adult. The police filed a supplementary charge sheet against him before a Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), a sign that they are prepared to settle for a light sentence for the youngster- a maximum of three years in a reformatory for a particularly vicious gang rape that resulted in the victim's death. Senior police officials told they were not optimistic of overturning a JJB finding in January that the accused individual is a juvenile. Until this point, the police have maintained that they are exploring all options to ensure the youngsters- described by them as the most brutal of the six assailants gets maximum punishments.
- 'Aam aadmi' wants British pounds
Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is going places- for funds. The Party is to start raising money through a UK chapter opened in January, according to unit's spokesperson. "Funding is a key aim but we'll be happy even if someone wants to give us 10 pounds," Raj Redij-Gill of Aam Aadmi Party UK told a newspaper. "We will seek funds from NRI's, not UK citizens," said Redij-Gill, alluding to the controversy over alleged foreign corporate funding of the BJP and Congress. All payments would be made online. The party was trying to change the way politics was done in India, he said. "We don't want someone's million pounds in anticipation of something to given to them in the future." - Kamal, Rushdie pay as TN, Bengal side with culture bullies
Cultural intolerance stalked the world's largest democracy recently. The ban on Kamal Haasan's new movie was upheld, prompting him to consider moving to another country, and internationally acclaimed writer Salman Rushdie was stopped from attending Asia's largest book fair in Kolkata. J Jayalalithaa's Tamil Nadu government was quick to ban the screening of Haasan's new movie Vishwaroopam after certain Muslim groups thought it was religiously offensive. Mamata Banerjee's West Bengal government pressured the book fair organisers not to have Rushdie over, fearing that the presence of The Satanic Verses author would offend minorities. It was clear that politicians still looked at India's as many castes and communities purely as vote banks, and were willing to bullied by even the smallest and most violently intolerant groups.
- BJP- backed group wins gurdwara polls
In a political development that is likely to have an impact on Delhi politics, the BJP supported Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has swept the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections, defeating the congress backed Shiromani-Akali Dal (Delhi) group. SAD (Badal) won 37 of the 46 seats to take control after more than a decade as Majinder Singh, the party's candidate defeated SAD (Delhi) chief Paramjit Singh Sarna. Last year in November, the two Akali factions were involved in a violent clash that left 11 injured. The DSGMC is a cash rich body and its president is considered a powerful Sikh leader, who can attract voters in assembly and parliamentary elections. With about 10lakh Sikh Voters in Delhi, the outcome is likely to have an impact on 10-15 seats in the 2013 assembly elections.
- Obama migration reforms to benefit Indian students
US President Barack Obama unveiled a comprehensive immigration reform plan aimed among other things at holding on to bring foreign students such as those in India. An increasing number of whom are leaving the US after studies because of difficulty in obtaining permission to stay on, against a visa to work or start a business. "There are brilliant students from all over the world sitting in classrooms at our top universities," Obama said in Las Vegas. Once they finish school, he added, there is a good chance they will leave the US to start a business or create jobs in China, India, Mexico or somewhere else." Holding on to them as part of the effort to fix the legal immigration system would be one of the three broad principles of his plan, which tracked closely the one announcement by a bipartisan group of senators.
- Roshni Nadar to take over the reins of HCL
The information technology industry is seeing the rise of an heiress to the top. Roshni Nadar Malhotra will take over the reins of HCL Corporation that controls two of India's leading IT companies as chairman, her father and current chairman Shiv Nadar. He did not mention any date for his 31 yr old daughter taking charge. In all likelihood, the MBA graduate who has worked as a media producer would step into her father's shoes only after Nadar, 67, retires. HCL Corporation is the holding company of HCL Technologies and HCL Infosystems, the two publicly listed firms of the group that also has other entities. Roshni is already CEO and executive director in the holding company. Both HCL Tech and HCL Infosystems continue to be professionally run by their respective CEO's and board of directors. While HCL Tech is India's fourth largest software services firm, HCL Infosystems is primarily a hardware company that manufactures personal computers and tablets. - Vodafone slams auction norms, seeks withdrawal
Hectic lobbying has begun in the telecom sector to reduce the reserve price of spectrum with the government in the process of finalising modalities for auction of airwaves. Vodafone India has sought withdrawal of the recently issued guidelines for the round of spectrum auction terming them "illegal, discriminatory and benefitting one set of players". The company said the guidelines were "discriminatory" in nature, as they fix the reserve price of spectrum in the 900-MHz band at three times the price waves of 800-MHz, while the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had recommended both these had to be treated at par. "Fixing reserve price of 800 MHz band at comparatively low levels of benefits a certain set of telecom operators," the company said in a letter to telecom secretary R Chandrashekhar , while seeking the withdrawal of the guidelines. It said the auction of spectrum in the 900-MHz band includes spectrum that is currently being used by the company for Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata circles and since the same spectrum is already being used in its networks, it cannot be put out for auction.
- Ishwar eyeing india colours after impressive domestic run
India's fast bowling department has resembled musical chairs of late, changes forced by injuries or poor form. And Madhya Pradesh seamer Ishwar Pandey is new name that has come into reckoning. There have been quite a few fast bowlers who have burst onto the scene like him in this season. While some have found it difficult to sustain their performances, many have gone into oblivion. However, a seamer who has emerged as the highest wicket taker in Ranji Trophy is bound to raise hope and is also likely to be thrust into the limelight. Pandey is enjoying such a period.
- Spanish doping case to avoid naming names
A Spanish judge refused to demand that the suspected mastermind of one of the sporting world's biggest blood doping rackets provide the names of the athletes implicated in the scandal. The ruling in the so-called "Operation Puerto" case could avert a huge fallout from the high profile trail, with suspects across the drug tarnished world of cycling and perhaps in sports potentially at risk. The Madrid court was told that Italy's Olympic Committee had asked judged Julia Patricia Santamaria to order doctor Eufemaniano Fuentes to identify the athletes whose blood had been stored in packs seized by the police. "The request will not be made expressly," the judge said, without giving a reason. The Canary islands doctor, 57, was detained when police seized 200 bags of blood and plasma, and other evidence of performance enhancing transfusions, revealing a huge doping network after month long investigation.
- Now Warne calls for new coach for Australia
Shane Warne called on Australia coach Mickey Arthur to be replaced by former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming days after branding the nation's cricket chiefs "muppets". The outspoken leg-spinner, who said he was frustrated on many levels at present", praised Fleming as the best opposition captain we played against on his website. "I believe he brings a lot to the table, a calmness and intelligent understanding of the game and a very good cricket brain. He's a good communicator too as well as a good leader of men." Warne, 43, who also wants former Test wicketkeeper Rod Marsh as chairman of selectors, said the current Australian setup was not working as the player gear up for two Ashes series against England over the next year. In a post entitled "Where is Australian cricket at? Part 1" on his website, Warne said: "the next 12 months is the biggest 12 months of cricket for the Australian cricket team in a long, long time.
- Sportsperson not allowed into the facility built for them
Two years ago, when organisers of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games incorporated the Delhi University (DU) campus and its affiliated colleges under its scheme to upgrade sports infrastructure, the emphasis was to tap young talent. Keeping that in mind, an eight lane synthetic track at the university polo's ground and a multipurpose indoor hall adjoining the new rugby field were constructed. Sports facilities were also upgraded at seven colleges, including St Stephen's, all practice venues for the competitors for the CWG. Down the line, though the facilities are being utilised to some extent in various colleges, those under the jurisdiction of DU are 'out of bounds' for players. "The rugby field is only used during competition and not for training," a member of the ground staff replied when asked why the field wore a deserted look. The venue was being spruced up for the zonal inter-varsity women's soccer tournament.
- Army players face action for playing in the HIL
When they stepped on the turf for the Punjab Warriors versus Mumbai Magician match in the Hockey India League, India forward S V Sunil, midfielder Ignace Tirkey and goalkeeper P T Rao were defying orders from their bosses to withdraw from the league. The Army Sports Control Board (ASCB) has taken strong exception to their taking part without permission and has asked the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) to recall them and initiate disciplinary action. However despite the latest communiqué sent to MEG, Sunil and Ignace represented Punjab Warriors while Rao played for the Mumbai Magicians. One player claimed they had not received any order to pull out. Sources in the Bangalore based MEG said the ASCB has also sought the recall of Jonny Jasrotia of Mumbai Magicians. In a strongly-worded missive, the ASCB has asked MEG to explain how the players were allowed to participate in HIL without clearance from the headquarters.
- Mumbai may not host final if Pakistan play
The uncertainty over women's world cup is far from over. The final of event could be shifted from Mumbai to Cuttack if Pakistan make to the summit clash. The Group B games, which include matches featuring Pakistan, were earlier shifted to Cuttack, following threats of disruption by right wing parties. Pakistan kick-off their campaign against Australia at the Barabati stadium. Three teams each from two groups go through to the Super Six Stage. The top two teams from Super Six then progress to the final. If Pakistan makes it to the final, their game will be staged in Cuttack. "Pakistan's Super Six games will be played at the Barabati stadium in Cuttack. If they make the final, the summit clash will have to be shifted to the Cuttack. We cannot take a chance," tournament official told a leading news paper on condition of anonymity.
- Hockey India League postponed
The player's auction for the Hockey India League (HIL) has been postponed from December 1 to December 16. Subsequently the league too has been postponed and will commence on January 17.
"Some of the coaches involved with the league are busy as the FIH Champions Trophy starts in Melbourne from December 1, and couldn't have participated in the auction," HIL chairman Narinder Batra, said in a statement.
"Since the franchises expressed concern that the coaches could not be present for the auction, to pick players, it was necessary to reschedule the event," said Batra. Almost all top players expected to compete in the HIL are representing their nations in the champions Trophy, which will see India, Olympic champions Germany, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Pakistan, New Zealand and hosts Australia compete for top honours.
- Sunil Gavaskar asks to accept the cricket team as selected.
Former Indian cricket team captain, Sunil Gavaskar has said that the team selectors should not be bogged down by dropping the non-performing players and has refused to point out at the selection of the team for the upcoming Asia Cup.
After the controversial statement of the present Captain M.S.Dhoni, there were rising speculations that the selectors may drop some senior players following the team's poor performance in Australia. But even the selectors didn't make any major changes in the team's side.
When asked by the media personals whether the players should be kept off from the next match if they showed poor performance Gavaskar said that yes such action should be justified.
In his statement, Gavasker said "If you don't drop off the non performing players then it could mean that the team may lose the next matches. It does not matter whether some more prominent players are removed or not what matter is that the team should not be a bunch of non performing players. And if that's a case then all the cricket lovers must be prepared for the result of the future matches as well."
- Real Madrid eyes 32nd Spanish title at Athletic
The Real Madrid can still hold the Spanish league title with their victory at the Athletic Bilbao. In the score update the real Madrid is seven points clear of its top rival with only three games to play. Also even a Barcelona loss will also award the Spanish leader its record 32nd domestic crown.
Barcelona's last three games are seen to serve as preparation for next month's Copa del Rey final against Athletic. These matches will be the last games for the coach Pep Guardiola's before he hands over the reins to assistant Tito Vilanova.
- Manipur road named after Olympian winner Mary Kom
A road in Manipur's Churachandpur district, 65km south of the state capital, was named 'MC Mary Kom road' at a felicitation function to honour the Olympic medallist. Mary Kom won a bronze at the London's 2013 Olympic.
Mary Kom was honoured with numerous other awards that included a cash award of Rs.1.5 lakh, a mithun apart from getting cash reward of Rs. 5 lakh. So far she has received cash award of Rs 75 lakh from the Manipur government and Rs 10lakh from the Ministry of Tribal affairs.
On the occasion the 29 yr old world champion appealed to bring peace and unity in the trouble torn state in order to bring more laurels in the future.
- Leander paes roars- no one can step him from entering 2013 Olympics
Leander Paes, India's No. 1 doubles player arrived for his Wimbeldon post match along with his daughter Aiyana and trainer Sanjay Singh. The champion then confirmed his participation the London's Olympic removing any doubt. He further said in his statement that he was ready to partner anyone that AITA, All India Tennis Association nominates to play with him i.e. Sania Mirza in the mixed and Vishnu Vardhan in the men's doubles.
In his stament, Paes said-"I am here to play sport not politics and am looking forward to represent my country in the 2013 Olympics. However with bad luck I see games being played in games itself which is very disheartening. Still I am looking ahead to play my sixth Olympics for my country as I have played for last 22yrs for my country and countrymen.
At first Paes refused to talk about any matter, later he cleared tougher questions regarding- Sania's press statement which slammed the demands made by Paes or how he will prepare for the quadrennial with Sania .
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